The Green Bay Packers set a negative tone for the rest of the NFC North in Week 3 with a Thursday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons. This obviously helps the rest of the division out within the standings, but it also proved that in any given week, the favored team can look completely lost, and the underdog can really surprise.
The Detroit Lions are facing the New York Jets this week at home, while the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are set to have their hands full. The Bears, especially, might struggle this week as they have a Monday night clash with the Philadelphia Eagles, likely with a backup quarterback.
Here, we'll predict the outcome of these final two games left on the NFC North's slate, as we've already predicted that the Lions will take down the Jets on Sunday afternoon.
Predicting rest of NFC North's Week 3 games after Packers' embarassing loss
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, September 27, 4:25pm EST
Prediction: Vikings win
Minnesota seems like the only well-rounded team in the division right now. We obviously know what their defense is capable of - allowing just 12.5 points per game, in addition to 3.8 rushing yards per game - but with better quarterback play, the Vikings are finally getting to utilize their extremely talented wide receiver group in addition to Aaron Jones.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, has struggled on both sides of the ball to begin this season. Their defense has left a lot to be desired, while their offense has not been able to get going with a turnover-prone Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Now imagine him dealing with a Brian Flores-run defense. Not pretty.
We're going with Minnesota here, and our bold take is that Kyler Murray will go off in this contest to help the Vikings offense really burst.
READ MORE: Lions' continued secondary injuries could accidentally unlock Jets' passing game
Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Monday, September 28, 8:15pm EST
Prediction: Eagles win
The Bears are likely to start one of Carson Wentz or Tyson Bagent in this one, and it feels clear that that's going to force their offense to take a step back in this game. Philadelphia will be far healthier in this contest, and that alone should net them the win. We expect this game to be close to a blowout without Caleb Williams in tow, and as the Bears' defense has struggled through two games.
Wentz could surprise us all, obviously, as he's one of the better backups in the league, but we aren't holding our breath.
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